PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has signed a partnership agreement with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to strengthen the telco’s support for the Philippine delegation to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

“As a longtime partner of the POC in supporting the growth and development of sports in the country and enabling our athletes, we are proud to have the opportunity to be part of the journey of Team Pilipinas and support them whole-heartedly as they carry the flag to represent our archipelago among the world’s best in Paris,” said PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan.

Under this partnership, Smart will give P5 million to support the Philippine delegation as they train for and compete in the prestigious sporting event. As the official telco partner of the POC, Smart will also provide connectivity via Smart GigaRoam to the athletes, coaching staff, and officials. Smart is also an official broadcaster of the Paris Olympics, bringing Filipino fans closer to the world’s most prestigious sporting event.

“We are grateful to have the support of Smart at this very important stage of our Filipino athletes’ lives. We are hopeful that our national athletes can make our country proud in the Olympics this year,” said POC President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino.

Among the national athletes bound for the Paris Olympics so far are Smart ambassadors EJ Obiena (pole vault), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), and MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF)-backed boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Eumir Marcial, weightlifters John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, gymnast Aleah Finnegan, and the first Filipina rowing Olympian Joanie Delgaco. “We’re hoping to confirm more names in our delegation as the Olympic Games draw nearer,” added Tolentino.

Supportive of sports development, PLDT and Smart, together with the MVPSF, have launched many initiatives to help discover, develop, and train Filipino athletes and teams from the grassroots to collegiate, amateur, and professional levels.

Pangilinan, Chairman of MVPSF and a key figure in Philippine sports, has always believed in the unifying power of sports. “Our regional loyalties dissolve when we watch our athletes play. We carry our greatest faith in our strongest hearts when we cheer for our national athletes as the Filipino identity transforms us into a single team --Team Pilipinas.”

From basketball to badminton to weightlifting to esports and many others, the MVPSF and Pangilinan-led companies have been investing in and empowering 19 National Sports Agencies, backing hundreds of athletes, and contributing to nation-building through sports development, fueling the Filipino dream of producing another Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.